Merging control panel images

Abstract

A system and methods combine images from various devices in a printing system and display an overall system image on the control panel of a printing device. Events in a printing system are associated with particular event codes. For example, an error event such as a paper jam in a printing device or other device coupled to the printing device is associated with a particular error code. When an event occurs, a printing device receives an associated event code. Based on the event code, the printing device merges images from one or more external devices with an image of itself. The merged image makes up an overall printing system image that is displayed on a control panel of the printing device. The system image provides information to a user about the nature and location of the event.

1 . A computer-readable medium comprising computer executable instructions configured to cause a computer to perform: 
 receiving an event code;    based on the event code, receiving an image from each of one or more external devices attached to a printing system;    combining each image with a printing device image to create a system image; and    displaying the system image on a control panel.    
     
     
         2 . A computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the receiving an event code occurs during a printing process, the computer executable instructions being further configured to cause a computer to perform sending an instruction to halt the printing process.  
     
     
         3 . A computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the receiving an event code comprises receiving the event code from a printing device.  
     
     
         4 . A computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the receiving an event code comprises receiving the event code from an external device.  
     
     
         5 . A computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the receiving an image further comprises sending an instruction to the one or more external devices, the instruction defining the image based on the event code.  
     
     
         6 . A computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the image and the printing device image are defined by the event code to include characteristics selected from a group of characteristics comprising: 
 an angle of view;    a distance of view; and    an animated view.    
     
     
         7 . A computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 1  wherein the control panel is located on the printing device.  
     
     
         8 . A computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the event code is an error code.  
     
     
         9 . A method of merging control panel images comprising: 
 receiving an event code;    based on the event code, receiving an image from each of one or more external devices attached to a printing system;    combining each image with a printing device image to create a system image; and    displaying the system image on a control panel.    
     
     
         10 . A computer-readable medium comprising computer executable instructions configured to cause a computer to perform: 
 initializing a printing device;    during the initializing, receiving images from one or more external devices;    receiving an event code from an external device;    based on the event code, combining some of the images with a printing device image to form a system image; and    displaying the system image on a control panel.    
     
     
         11 . A computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the receiving images comprises receiving a group of images from each of the one or more external devices.  
     
     
         12 . A computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 11 , wherein each group of images includes images comprising: 
 images from various angles;    images from various distances; and    images that are animated.    
     
     
         13 . A computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the receiving an event code occurs during a printing process, the method further comprising issuing an instruction to halt the printing process.  
     
     
         14 . A computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the receiving images further comprises requesting the images and identification information from each of the one or more external devices.  
     
     
         15 . A computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the control panel is located on the printing device.  
     
     
         16 . A computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the event code is an error code.  
     
     
         17 . A method of merging images on a control panel comprising: 
 initializing a printing device;    during the initializing, receiving images from one or more external devices;    receiving an event code from an external device;    based on the event code, combining some of the images with a printing device image to form a system image; and    displaying the system image on a control panel.    
     
     
         18 . A computer-readable medium comprising computer executable instructions configured to cause a computer to merge images on a control panel by performing: 
 during a printing process, sensing an event on a printing device, the event being associated with an event code;    requesting an image from each of one or more external devices, each image being defined by the event code;    forming a system image from each image and a printing device image, the printing device image being defined by the event code; and    displaying the system image on a control panel.    
     
     
         19 . A computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the requesting further comprises: 
 sending an instruction to the one or more external devices, the instruction defining each image based on the event code; and    receiving an image from each of the one or more external devices.    
     
     
         20 . A computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 18 , wherein each image and the printing device image are defined by the event code to include characteristics selected from a group of characteristics comprising: 
 an angle of view;    a distance of view; and    an animated view.    
     
     
         21 . A method of merging images on a control panel comprising: 
 during a printing process, sensing an event on a printing device, the event being associated with an event code;    requesting an image from each of one or more external devices, each image being defined by the event code;    forming a system image from each image and a printing device image, the printing device image being defined by the event code; and    displaying the system image on a control panel.    
     
     
         22 . A printer comprising: 
 a control panel;    a printer image; and    a merge module configured to combine the printer image with one or more external device images to form a system image, and, to display the system image on the control panel.    
     
     
         23 . A printer as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the printer image and each external device image are determined from an event code.  
     
     
         24 . A printer as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the event code is generated in an external device.  
     
     
         25 . A printer as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the printer image and each external device image illustrate views having particular characteristics selected from a group of characteristics comprising: 
 an angle of view;    a distance of view; and    an animated view.    
     
     
         26 . A printer comprising: 
 a control panel;    a plurality of printer images; and    a merge module configured to receive external images from each of one or more external devices, form a system image from a printer image and an external image from each of the one or more external devices, and display the system image on the control panel.    
     
     
         27 . A system comprising: 
 a printing device having a control panel and printing device image;    one or more external devices, each external device having an external device image;    wherein the printing device comprises a merge module configured to retrieve the images, combine the images into a system image, and display the system image on a control panel.    
     
     
         28 . A system comprising: 
 a printing device having a control panel and an image of itself;    one or more external devices, each external device having an image of itself;    wherein the printing device comprises a merge module configured to interpret an event code, retrieve images based on the event code, combine the images into a system image, and display the system image on a control panel.